2011 REDCAT Gala

The fifth annual REDCAT Gala

REDCAT (Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater) celebrated its eighth year as one of Los Angeles’ leading contemporary art institutions on Saturday, March 19, 2011 with the fifth annual REDCAT Gala, honoring philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad and Thai filmmaker and visual artist Apichatpong Weerasethakul. In a program emceed by Ed Harris (CalArts School of Theater BFA 75), the honorees were presented with the REDCAT Award, which is given to individuals who exemplify the generosity and talent that define and lead the field of contemporary art. Designed by Frank Gehry and fabricated by Tiffany & Co., the Award celebrates the spirit of innovation and the transformation of ideas through creative acts. The Award honors both philanthropists and artists, for together they embody the invaluable alliance that shapes eras and defines cultures.

Thanks to our Co-Chairs Mark Bradford, Allan DiCastro, Neda and Tim Disney, Janet Dreisen Rappaport, and Catharine and Jeffrey Soros and the generosity of our sponsors, table hosts and ticket buyers, the Gala raised significant funds vital to the successful presentation of the most culturally relevant experiments in theater, dance, music, film/video and visual art. Throughout the year, REDCAT welcomes more than 60,000 arts patrons to view exhibitions and performances in our gallery and theater.

This year, REDCAT was honored to present the REDCAT Award to Apichatpong Weerasethakul, whose first solo exhibition in the U.S. was hosted in our gallery in 2007. Among his many artistic achievements, Mr. Weerasethakul received the Palme d’Or at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival for his mystical and haunting film Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives. Fellow Thai artist Rirkrit Tiravanija gave the tribute speech to Mr. Weerasethakul.

REDCAT Awards were presented to Eli and Edythe Broad, celebrating their remarkable generosity and visionary leadership in civic and cultural affairs in the Los Angeles region. As REDCAT welcomes The Broad as our future neighbor, we paid tribute to the Broads’ commitment to the idea of a Grand Avenue cultural corridor; a vison that is further strengthened with the construction of this architecturally significant new museum for exceptional contemporary art works. Tribute speeches were made by CalArts Trustee and Gala Co-Chair Janet Dreisen Rappaport and artist Ed Ruscha (Chouinard 59).